Hypericum revolutum extract as a vasodilator

Abstract

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds obtainable from an extract of Hypericum revolutum and methods of dilating blood vessels by administering such compounds are provided.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of dilating blood vessels in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising i) an extract of  Hypericum revolutum  or ii) one or more compounds obtainable from an extract of  Hypericum revolutum  or salts or solvates thereof, wherein the composition comprises 2,3,4-trimethoxy xanthone. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject suffers from one or more of hypertension, eclampsia, preeclampsia, metabolic syndrome, angina, congestive heart failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. 
     
     
       3. A method of dilating blood vessels in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising i) an extract of  Hypericum revolutum  or ii) one or more compounds obtainable from an extract of  Hypericum revolutum  or salts or solvates thereof, wherein the composition comprises 5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-1-(3-methylbut-2-enoxy)-2-(3-methyl butyryl)-4-(2-methyl butyryl)-benzene. 
     
     
       4. A method of dilating blood vessels in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising i) an extract of  Hypericum revolutum  or ii) one or more compounds obtainable from an extract of  Hypericum revolutum  or salts or solvates thereof, wherein the composition comprises 3-chloro-9a-(1-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)-8-isobutyryl-2,2,7,7-tetramethyl-6-(4-methylpent-3-enoyl)hexahydro-2H-4a,8-methanocyclohepta[b]pyran-9,10(9aH)-dione. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is in a form selected from a tablet, capsule, or aqueous solution. 
     
     
       6. A tablet or capsule comprising
 a composition comprising i) an extract of  Hypericum revolutum  or ii) one or more compounds obtainable from an extract of  Hypericum revolutum  or salts or solvates thereof, wherein the composition comprises 2,3,4-trimethoxy xanthone; and
 a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the subject suffers from one or more of hypertension, eclampsia, preeclampsia, metabolic syndrome, angina, congestive heart failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the composition is in a form selected from a tablet, capsule, or aqueous solution. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the subject suffers from one or more of hypertension, eclampsia, preeclampsia, metabolic syndrome, angina, congestive heart failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the composition is in a form selected from a tablet, capsule, or aqueous solution.